Need help from the lever gunners

[Double-O-Dave]

I recently purchased my first lever action rifle - a Marlin 1894C in .357 Magnum chambering, and I need some advice regarding sighting it in. I've mounted a fixed, 4 power scope I had that wasn't being used on the rifle using a Weaver base (rail). My questions:

1. What distance should I sight the scope in at? I'm thinking 75 yards for zero, and I should be okay from close in, all the way out to 100 - 125 yards, but I would really appreciate advice from those with experience.

2. What type of load would you suggest I sight in with? I don't hunt animals anymore, but that might change in the near future - I have a 13 year old son who wants to learn to hunt. Would 158gr. LSW in .357 Magnum be a good all around load, and one to zero the scope with?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Dave

 

[sourdough44]

I'd start off at 25 yards with a larger target to get 'on paper'. I also adjust the scope after each shot initially, to get it close. Once you have total control at the closer ranges, move out to 50 or so.

I just got back from a youth hunt with my 15 y/o son. I shot with him at about 30 yards. In the stand he took a 20 yard shot on a nice deer. It went about 30 yards after the shot, 9.5- 10 pointer. He used a Knight muzzle-loader.

I like ranges close enough so there is NO doubt on where the bullet will go, for new hunters & somewhat me too.

I may try WFN hardcast as hunting bullets, the 2nd choice would be jacketed soft point type bullets. Again the main thing is to put the bullet in the right spot.
That gun will work, but no 243 for your son?

Here is a picture of the IL buck my son bagged yesterday.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

When sighting in any weapon, whether it has a scope or not, I always start close. With a lever gun being not nearly as fast or flat shooting as say an .06 or .270 etc, I start at about 25 yds. Fire 3 shot groups always aiming at the bull. I recommend 3 shot groups so you can see how much shooter error plays a factor. Dont go adjusting things after just one shot, you will end up chasing all over the target. Once you get your 3 shot groups zeroed at 25 yds or so, then move out and you should only have to make slight elevation adjustments. If like me you hunt mainly in the woods, a 50yd zero is more than adequate. If you need to take a shot farther out closer to 100 yds you should only have to aim an inch or 2 high. Now, I dont have any experience with lever guns firing .357s, but this has worked well for me working with Winchester '94's chambered in 30-30 and 32 win spcl. I would suspect the 357 would perform similarly if not a tad less than a 30-30 or 32spcl.

 

[JamesArthur60]

I'm not a fan of scoped lever action rifles (just a personal thing), but I sighted my Marlin 1894C in at 50 yards with open sights. I've changed the factory sights and put a ghost ring on the rear and a fiber optic on the front. It works good for me on paper. I've thought about trying it on those tough Ohio groundhogs just for the fun of it; but it's spent most of it's time (since 2003) living in a gun locker. I've shot both special and magnum rounds. Just basic WWB flat nose bullets, nothing pointed. I'm sure if 38's were cheaper to purchase, I'd shoot it more because they are fun to handle in a different way.

 

[Stevie]

I just sighted in a Rossi .44mag not too long back. Sighted it in with the iron sights.

I sighted in at 50yards with the bullet weight I planned on using.

Since 240gr ammo is available in both 'Cowboy' and full power loads...and this weight ammo will be the most common ammo I will use..this is what I sighted in with.

The Rossi .44 mag will put both power levels of ammo to point of aim at fifty yards..although I notice the feeble 'Cowboy' loads are hitting low at 100 yards..while the .44 magnum jacketed loads are pretty close.

With the iron sights..I can set in the lowest elevation and hit the target..move the slider up a notch for 100 yard shooting...max the slider out for elevation and it's on at 200yds with full power ammo.

This is near perfect for my uses.

I had to do a little dremal work on the Rossi rear sight blade because it shot high with the elevation fully depressed. Instead of swapping out front sights..I just ground the plain rear sight blade into a semi-buckhorn..reducing it's height....so 'sighting in' was a 'grind and shoot' affair.

 

[venomballistics]

I'd zero for 100 yards, it keeps the math a little easier when using MOA to inch conversion at a given range.
In the long run the practice lets you get on paper mathematically at any other range.
as for the load ... I feed the wifes Henry Big Boy a 170 ish grain lswc hp .. bigger bullets are slower, and help avoid leading issues.
I have the henry hitting minute of limb rat at 200Y with the factory irons.
357 in a rifle seems to be a delightful overachiever.

 

[Texas Star]

I suggest using 158 grain JSP rounds, whichever shoots best. They may feed better than the lead SWC and lead the bore less. Factory soft lead SWC's gave the .357 Magnum a bad name until jacketed bullets came out.

Most who buy guns don't reload. Hard-cast .357's worked better and some HP's expanded. But they had to be handloaded.

Hornady's (XTP?) bullets may not expand well from handguns, but might give good controlled expansion from a carbine. Speer's 158 grain Gold Dot may also work well.

I think JHP's may expand too much in animal tissue from a carbine. JSP's will likely get in deeper, important with larger animals. Even if you won't hunt them, a cougar, jaguar, bear, or alligator may MAKE you wish for a load that'll stop one. And elk and moose sometimes go after people.

I suspect that Marlin will feed JSP's best.

Let us know how you like it and what load you settle on. Don't use any pointed bullets in tubular magazines. Safety issue!

 

[redlevel]

I like the Skinner peep sight on my 1894c in .357. I sighted it at 50 yards with Federal 158 grain jacketed soft-point ammo. It is a right slick little rig with that set-up.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Thanks everyone for your advice and input. I apologize for the late recognition, but I've been busy nursing a broken arm and haven't had a chance to shoot my first lever gun. Once I get a chance to take it to the range I'll try to post photos. Again, thanks for your advice and help.

Best regards,

Dave